Samuel X. “Sam” Chopper” Calabro, 93 of Washington died Saturday-July 30, 2016 at the Washington County Health Center after a brief illness. He was born May 3, 1923 in Washington the son of the late Carl & Mary Bonus Calabro. Mr. Calabro was a 1942 graduate of Trinity High School. He was a graduate of the Pittsburgh School of Plastics in 1947 and also was a graduate of the Western Pennsylvania Institute of Technology in Technical Drafting in 1952. Mr. Calabro was a fire fighter for the City of Washington from 1957 until 1983 when he retired after 26 years of service. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church.

Mr. Calabro served as Corporal in the United States Army during World War II with Company C 148th Engineers Combat Battalion in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe & Ardennes. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, EAME Theatre Service Medal w/5 Bronze stars and the Victory Medal. Mr. Calabro fought bravely for his country on Omaha Beach in the Battle of Normandy in France. His military service was something that he was very proud of.

Mr. Calabro was inducted in the Trinity Area Sports Hall of Fame for track & field and football in 2014. He was the 1st Hiller Athlete to win an individual WPIAL medal in any sport, winning the Gold Medal in 1941. He still holds the record for long-jump at 21 feet 7 ¾ inches. He also was the 1st Trinity High School state medalist in school history when he placed fifth at the 1941 PIAA track & field championship. He played halfback in 1941, a year when the Hillers had the best record in Trinity football history.

He was a member of the Professional Fire Fighters Association Local #2218, the Washington-Greene County Chapter of Pa. Sports Hall of Fame, the Trinity Area Sports Hall of Fame, the American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post #175 for 51 years and a lifetime member of the Order of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America. He liked to fish, loved to cook (especially his home made meatballs) and enjoyed socializing with his buddies at Krency’s Restaurant.

On November 28, 1946 he married Mary J. Ruffa Calabro in St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church. Mary died on November 12, 1998. Surviving is a son; Joseph C. “Joe” (Shelley) Calabro of Chester, Virginia, two brothers; Paul (Charlene) Calabro of Indiannapolis, Indiana & Louis Calabro of Washington, three grandchildren; Sam Calabro of Orlando, Florida, Jason Calabro of Richmond, Virginia & Melissa Calabro of Richmond, Virginia, beloved sister-in-law; Annette “Ann” Elias of Washington, and loving caregivers: niece; Lisa Carrier, nephews; Carmine & Chris Carrier of Washington along with his neighbor; Dave McVay who helped him in many ways. Several cousins, nieces & nephews and many more relatives also survive.

Mr. Calabro was preceded in death by two brothers; John Ferrer & Frank Calabro and a sister; Rose Calabro who died in infancy.

Friends will be received on Tuesday-August 2, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc. Wilson at E. Katherine Avenues, Washington, S. Timothy Warco, supervisor/director, Susan Falvo Warco, director, S. Timothy Warco II, director. A prayer service will be held at 9:00 am on Wednesday-August 3, 2016 in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am. in the Immaculate Conception Church. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post #175 and the United States Army. Online condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com